NORWAY — Norway Landmarks Preservation Society (Friends of the Gingerbread House) is proud to announce that Norway’s landmark Gingerbread House has received one of Maine Preservation’s Honor Awards, recognizing it for its excellence in historic preservation and as a model grassroots preservation project.

The award was presented to the Board of Directors on March 21 at a ceremony honoring all the Honor Award recipients. Along with the Board of Directors of the organization, Maine Preservation also recognized some of the many local craftspeople who have worked on the building over the years.

At the same ceremony, Andrea Burns, who also served as President of the Friends of the Gingerbread House, received a special individual award for her decades-long work in historic preservation.

The Gingerbread House, an iconic building on Norway’s Main St. since the 1850s, was donated by the Costello family of Lewiston who were, at that time, the owners of the Sun Journal and Advertiser Democrat. However, the offer was made on the condition that the building be moved.

A non-profit group was formed, the building moved in 2011 to its current location, and a preservation plan was developed. Years of fundraising and repairs were carried out, with local craftspeople doing all the work. With the final addition of the reconstructed porch, the goal of rehabilitating the exterior and ‘sealing the envelope’ has been completed.

The Friends of the Gingerbread House have donated easements on the building to Maine Preservation, which will ensure that the building continues to maintain its historic presence at the western gateway to Norway’s Main St.

Recently, the building was placed on the real estate market, with realtor Holly Bancroft Brown managing the listing. The interior needs rehabilitation and readaptation, but there remain some very unique and appealing interior features, which will appeal to anyone interested in historic properties.

The exterior rehabilitation was completed solely with individual donations and foundation grants. No local or state government funding was utilized. The group is very grateful to all the contributors who have appreciated and loved this house. The Board is making plans for at least one celebratory event, before the sale of the building, to thank all the donors who made the rehabilitation possible.

In addition, The Board is having ongoing discussions about the use of any proceeds from the sale of the house for the betterment of Norway.  A decision and plan for the future will be made when the house is sold.

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